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Fox Nation, the streaming service operated by Fox News Media, is getting into the stand-up comedy business.
The service has ordered a new one-hour comedy special from Roseanne Barr, which will debut in early 2023. The program, A Roseanne Comedy Special, will be Barr’s first stand-up comedy special in 16 years (her last special, Blonde and Bitchin’, aired on HBO in 2006).
In the 1980s and 1990s Barr was one of Hollywood’s most prolific stand-up comics and actors. Her sitcom Roseanne ran for nine seasons in its initial run, and was revived in 2018, becoming a breakout for ABC. However, the network canceled the series after she sent a tweet about Obama aide Valerie Jarrett that was widely seen as racist. ABC brought back the show as The Conners, without Barr.
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In the years leading up to the Roseanne revival, Barr became better known for her politics, which tended to be conservative-leaning, rather than her comedy chops. The new special marks a return to form for the comic.
While Fox Nation has had comedy programming before, the Barr special is unlike previous content developed for the service, and certainly a more significant investment in comedy.
“Roseanne is a comedy icon whose humor connects with the American audience like no other,” Fox Nation president Jason Klarman said in a statement. “Her ability to channel the challenges of everyday people and find the humor in it all has earned her the passionate following of millions of dedicated fans.”
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